news WORTHINGTON -- Southwest Minnesota swept the floriculture competition at the Minnesota FFA Convention this week, taking all of the top five spots -- and Region VI FFA chapters also excelled in other contests at state.
"Region VI is very, very competitive and works very, very hard," said Laura Bidne,...
Worthington, 56187

Worthington Minnesota 300 11th Street / P.O. Box 639 56187

2013-07-11 16:15:14

WORTHINGTON -- Southwest Minnesota swept the floriculture competition at the Minnesota FFA Convention this week, taking all of the top five spots -- and Region VI FFA chapters also excelled in other contests at state.

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"Region VI is very, very competitive and works very, very hard," said Laura Bidne, who advises the Jackson County Central FFA along with Jeff Voss. "For us to even get out of our region to even qualify for state, we've had to work very, very hard, and not everybody gets to go to state. ... To make it out of the region, you have to put in a lot of time."

Southwest Star Concept earned first place in Floriculture, with JCC close behind in second place, Windom in third place, Westbrook-Walnut Grove in fourth place and Mountain Lake in fifth.

"Traditionally, we do well because we work hard," Bidne said. "There's no secret way around something. There's no trick -- you either learn it, or you don't."

Floriculture contests involve identifying 45 samples of cut flowers, house plants or greenhouse crops and taking a 60-question written test, as well as judging four corsages, vases of cut flowers or green plants. Finally, students have to complete a practicum -- this year, they constructed a three-flower corsage.

"We have a floral design class and a landscape design class, and that encompasses some of that as well, and we have an agriculture greenhouse at school. That helps with some of the identification aspects," Bidne said.

The majority of FFA students at JCC are involved in other school activities, so scheduling time for teams to practice together can be a challenge.

Bidne said the group wouldn't be nearly as successful if they didn't help each other out.

Strong family and community support are also key.

"It's another great year," Bidne added. "We're proud of all the kids and we're thankful for all the support that we have."

Team and individual Career Development Event contest rankings are as follows: